Classics by the Beach, April, 2017

UMPH is a little late off the mark with April's Classics, having missed his self-imposed day-after deadline by nearly a week. However, he's finally got his act together and posted a few photos that he took on the day, starting with this excellent Austin 1800 ute.

There are still a few Austin 1800s - colloquially known as land-crabs - getting around in Tasmania but ute variants a few and far between. This particular Mark II version was in excellent condition, inside and out, and appears to be a working vehicle, as it bears sign-written details of a local engineering business on both its front doors.

Regular readers will know that UMPH is a really huge fan of big Healeys. The one featured here was in absolutely first-rate condition and looked particularly stunning with its crisp white duco, glittering chrome and perfect interior. It's one of a surprising number of the marque that can be seen in and around Hobart but easily rated as one of the finest examples, which is no mean feat given the high standard of the others.

Two of these fabulous Datsun Fairladies - both two litre, five-speed versions - were present. Either one of them could have been mistaken for a brand new car, such was the standard of their restorations.

April's Classics also featured a couple of Honda S600s, although it might be difficult to identify the second one. Sure, the one shown here's pretty easy to spot ...

But how about this one? It's a work in progress but promises to be a real treat when it's done!

This early 70s Ford Fairlane was in great nick and, other than the stylish after-market wheels, appeared to be stock-standard and maybe totally original. Either way, it looked brilliant.

On the other hand, it looks like this striking blue Charger has recently undergone a full restoration. The paint, bright-work and interior all looked to have been recently - and expertly - refurbished. Nice!

Big Healeys. Little Healeys. UMPH was really pleased to see this lovely Mark I Sprite. It seems the Sprite may have been pleased to see UMPH, too!

Anything but average sums up this extremely tidy Leyland P76 very well indeed. It's low, wide stance gives it an almost menacing appearance, enhanced by its big wheels and the interesting mirror-finished headlights.

It also attracted some interesting bed fellows, with a E-Type Jag and a Lotus to one side and a Ferrari on the other. But that's Classics for you - great cars from around the world all in one place!

Another interesting contrast is the high-tech of the Ferrari versus the pre-war engineering of this amazing MG. Check out, for example, the leaf-sprung front end, wire wheels and big drum brakes.

The United States of America was again well represented by the local Mustang brigade, with this imposing black fast-back just one of several at the bay on the day. It's also an interesting contrast to the MG, reflecting America's penchant for muscle over the Brits' preference for nimbleness and handling.

Rounding out UMPH's selection for the day is this ripper Pontiac Trans Am. Whilst there might be more Mustangs in Hobart, Pontiacs are more prevalent than most people might imagine, including a couple of earlier model GTOs (please search 'Pontiac' on this 'blog to see them). The car featured here looked fantastic with its low-slung, wedge shape and multi-vented bonnet.

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

EJ or EH Holden? (Up-dated December, 2022)

EJ or the later EH? Several years ago, I posed the question: Can somebody please explain the difference between an EJ and an EH Holden ute or van? The response at the time wasn't overwhelming, so I did a bit of Googling and ferreting through my photos and came up with my own rough guide to EJ and EH identification. Sedans and wagons are easy to tell apart ; the EH's vertical rectangular tail lights are a dead give-away. However, the workhorse versions of both models share the rear-end treatment of the earlier EJ, making it harder to identify one from the other. No super obvious hints here. Or here ... . It turns out that the main clues are in the placement of the front H O L D E N lettering and GMH lion emblems, the style of the radiator grille and the width of the vents in front of the windscreen, with all EJs - sedans, wagons, utes and vans - having one combination and the EH line-up having their own . So what exactly are those diffe

Vick Auto Prima Fiat X1/9 Brakes: An Owner’s Assessment

At the end of 2022, I fitted a set of Vick Autosport Prima front brakes to my mildly worked 1.5 litre Series 1 Fiat X1/9 . I was fortunate, having picked them up at a very, very reasonable price, brand new but surplus to the needs of a fellow X1/9 Australia member who had imported them from the US. The kit included: New single pot callipers , new vented rotors (standard X1/9 front rotors are smaller, non-vented items), DOT approved stainless steel brake hoses, and all the necessary mounting hardware. They are a value proposition, being particularly well priced compared to other manufacturers’ packages - even at RRP - with everyone I’ve spoken to saying they’re made to a high standard, too. Here's a link to a piece that I wrote about them at that time, including some costings: https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2022/11/the-x19-gets-prima-brake-upgrade.html . Initial Assessment: I was a little underwhelmed by the brakes' performance, finding that although they had a tiny

Random # 301: Nanna-Spec KE36 Corolla

Once upon a time - six or seven years ago, actually - there was a lovely pale yellow GC Galant station wagon getting around Hobart. It was totally nanna-spec; its paint was umarked, the chrome work and hubcaps were immaculate, and its very original interior was pristine. Then someone stuck feathers in its dashboard. Next, the windows were adorned with Tibetan prayer flags. And a hubcap went missing. And the the rear bumper was pushed in, mangling the bodywork behind it. And a mudguard got dented. And rust set in. I fear for this sweet, innocent KE36 Corolla. Somebody please save it before it's too late. Nanna needs you to do it. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) Photos by GlamRock.

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